Move comes as NBWS turns away 573 seeking help
The Northern Beaches Women’s Shelter (NBWS) will retain its current annual funding of $72,000 for a further financial year until 30 June 2027.
Northern Beaches Council voted unanimously in favour of deputy mayor Candy Bingham’s motion at the council meeting on 17 February to extend the funding. Council plans to introduce a new grant program to support not for profit organisations operating and delivering services in the Northern Beaches under its Better Together Strategy and Community Safety Plan. Successful applicants would apply for a grant and receive up to $100,00 per annum for three years out of an annual pool of $300,000.
“We are grateful that council has extended our current funding for another 12 months,” NBWS CEO Narelle Hand told PL. “This allows us to continue providing safe accommodation and specialist support to women and children experiencing domestic and family violence and homelessness on the Northern Beaches.”
NBWS said that over the past three years the number of women they’ve had to turn away had risen from 300 to 573 in 2025 alone, which Ms Hand said was a ‘sobering figure.’ As demand for NBWS services increases, Ms Hand said they would have welcomed ‘longer term certainty.’
“The move to a competitive grants process from July next year does introduce uncertainty,” said Ms Hand. “While we are confident in the quality and impact of our work, applying for competitive funding requires time and resources. Like many frontline services, we regularly find ourselves preparing submissions and advocating for funding simply to maintain our existing operations. That ongoing process places additional pressure on already stretched teams.”
NBWS Patron and Manly MP James Griffin told PL that council’s support was ‘deeply appreciated,’ but council should consider longer term funding for organisations like NBWS.
“I will never stop advocating for greater investment in frontline domestic violence services, like the NBWS,” Mr Griffin said.
If NBWS was successful in obtaining a grant of up to $100,000 for three consecutive years from 2027, Ms Hand said the extra $18,000 would allow for increased outreach support, strengthen staff stability, and make a tangible difference for women and children in crisis.
Ms Hand said that NBWS would work ‘constructively and respectfully’ with council as it develops the framework.
“Women and children on the Northern Beaches deserve safe housing and specialist support when they need it. That is not a luxury, it is a responsibility,” Ms Hand added.
Deputy mayor Bingham has supported NBWS for over 14 years and been ‘impressed with their growth, professionalism and reputation for first-rate care.’ “I am hopeful that this new grant program will provide a little extra assistance to our wonderful local organisations.”
Council staff will prepare a framework for the new fund, to be considered at a future council meeting.
